Uber launches shared electric BIKES in London - and they're cheaper than rivals

The daily commute is a journey that many Londoners dread, but travelling around the capital is about to get a lot easier.

Uber has launched a new shared electric bicycle scheme in London, dubbed JUMP.

The scheme is being piloted in Islington, where 350 bright red bikes will be available to share through the Uber app.

If the pilot is a success, Uber plans to roll out the scheme in other London boroughs.

Jamie Heywood, Regional General Manager, Northern and Eastern Europe said: “There is now one more transport alternative for the 3.5 million people who use the Uber app in the capital.

The scheme is being piloted in Islington (Uber)

“Introducing JUMP bikes, will help make the city a cleaner place to live, and help London breathe.

“Over time, it's our goal to help people replace their car with their phone by offering a range of mobility options - whether cars, bikes or public transport - all in the Uber app.”

The bikes feature an adjustable seat, a robust frame, gear shifter, basket for your belongings and handy phone mount, as well as a built-in cable lock.

They also have an electric pedal-assist feature of up to 15mph, making them much easier to manoeuvre than traditional bicycles.

The built-in lock (Uber)

Uber customers can access the JUMP bikes through the Uber app, which will also display the service area and no parking zones.

In terms of price, the bikes cost £1 to unlock and 12p per minute, with your first five minutes free.

For comparison, Lime’s electric bikes, which launched in London last year, cost £1 to unlock and 15p per minute.

Christian Freese, General Manager of JUMP, EMEA said: “We’re excited to bring JUMP bikes to Islington, our first launch in London. With our electric bikes, we hope to encourage more people to try an environmentally friendly way to get across the city."

How to access the JUMP bikes

1. Open your Uber app in Islington and change your transportation mode from ‘Rides’ to ‘Bikes’ at the top of the main screen

2. The app will then display available bikes around you. To book one, select one of the bikes, and confirm your reservation

3. The app will then show you walking directions to the bike’s location. When you arrive, scan the QR code on the handlebars to unlock the bike

4. Cycle for as long as you want! Once you’ve finished your journey, open your Uber app for local parking guidance and lock your bike using the built-in cable lock